Kendo is one of several terms used to denote Japanese swordsmanship as practice by the Samurai Warriors of Japan. The term kendo is the combining of two Chinese characters or kanji, ken meaning sword and doh meaning way. The difference is in the use of the word doh which is a derivative of the Chinese word Tao. This character can also be pronounced michi which means path. This then denotes the taking of a path in life through the study of the use of the sword. Historically it was practiced by men almost exclusively. Modern kendo is practiced by both sexes starting at about six years of age.
Historically written records on kendo started around the 7th century a.d.. The dojo or formal school or style (ryu) were formed during the Muromachi period when there was a period of continual civil war. A good swordsman was a treasure as the sword was the principle weapon of the time. During the Tokogawa period the country was a peace and a decline in the swordsmanship and samurai code took place. It was also during this time that the shinai was developed and later the protective armour. This lead to the development of modern kendo which is practiced today. In the early 1900’s kendo was added to the public school curriculum and the All Japan Kendo Kata was developed from the kata of the most prominent ryu of the day. Although modern kendo is considered a martial art and a sport the mental aspects of the training are the roots.
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